2015 WESTERN BORDER FOOTBALL/NETBALL PREVIEW 13 Casterton/Sandford banking on youth THE Cats are always competitive and have just been unable to breakthrough to challenge for a finals berth. Their task has been made a little tougher in 2015 with an exodus of some of the club’s dynamic young talent to the Hampden league or away for work or university. Ellen Brewster, who formed arguably the second best defensive combination in the competition last year with Abbey Shannon, has also flown the coop. Brewster earned a team of the year nod in 2014 and her combination with Shannon was ruthless, combining tight marking with an innate ability to back themselves and hunt for interceptions and she will be missed. Shannon remains though and that is good news for Casterton/Sandford. The young defender would arguably have led the competition in interceptions in 2014, but her ability to read the play and turn the ball over does not come with a sacrifice to the need to run one on one with an opponent and shut down space and options in the shooting circle. She will no doubt team with fellow young gun Tayla Guthrie and the duo loom as a threat. Guthrie has a similar mindset – hunt and intercept – but make life tough for her opponent with tight one on one marking. Her work over the shot is impressive and she is a strong rebounder. She is also a dynamic attacking option when bringing the ball down court. The mid-court is rock solid again with Haylee and Natalie Rhook taking charge. The duo’s consistency and leadership has been pivotal in keeping the Cats competitive. Both rarely waste a possession and work as hard defensively as they do offensively. They will get good support in 2015 with the promotion of Gaby Tomkins – a versatile player who will be utilised in the mid-court –but can play at either end of the court as well. She is another player in the mould of Shannon – with her ability to create interceptions – but also a hard runner with pace to burn. There will also be more support in the mid-court from Ellen Bowman, a new face to the club. Bowman is looking to lock down the defensive wing – one of those rare breeds who love that position – and once she forms an understanding with Shannon and Guthrie, she will add yet another hard edge to the Cats defensive line. The shooting circle has great stability with Madalene Cleary and Jan Murphy. Madalene Cleary looms as the strong positioned player with the ability to set up play for her shooting partner, while Murphy was the epitome of reliability with her accuracy and ability to find space. An understanding between goalie combinations is as critical as the partnership formed in defensive circles and coming into their second season should result in further improvement. Trictia Cleary again, takes the reins and her leadership and all round knowledge of every area of the court will be pivotal as she looks to further develop this combination into a team capable of challenging for a top four finish. With a number of young players named in the side, consistency will be the key for Casterton/Sandford this season. Bulldogs build on toughness BO Creek remains at the helm at the Bulldogs in 2015 and after the improvement in the East Gambier line-up in 2014, that is no surprise. The Bulldogs improved on their winless 2013 to not only defeat Casterton/Sandford but also North Gambier and club officials would be hoping that development can continue. Losing young star Mary Wilson to boarding school and the Premier League will hurt, but the combination of Sarah Lock and Tenille Gray will be formidable. The long range accuracy of Lock combined with the athleticism and aerial skills of Gray will make this a tough combination to keep quiet for long. Gray also brings a good defensive mindset to the team and always works hard to try and win back possession. The defensive end will also receive a boost with the inclusion of Brenna McKay, who will be finished with basketball commitments by the start of the season and able to commit to the A grade action, after having a taste over the past couple of years. Adding Brenna to the already tough line-up that includes the coach, Creek, and Brenna’s sister Eilish, will give the Bulldogs versatility. The trio are all impressive readers of play and can create turnovers when needed. They all play solid one on one defence and work hard over the shot. Both Brenna and Eilish have a great hold over the shot, but also possess great timing when implementing the jump and both have been known to reject the shot on more than one occasion. Creek reads the ball well and can cut off the cross court ball, which creates a number of turnovers each game. The mid-court has been boosted as well with the return of Tarsh McCallum after completing her study. McCallum is a hard running mid-courter who hits the circle hard and is always creative on the feed. She is also a hard working defensive player, who chases down every loose ball and makes her opponent earn every possession. Her ability to go hard in a contest and voice on court will be a welcome addition to the Bulldogs in 2015. Rachael Hines was a revelation in 2014, taking her game to a new level, and she is one of the toughest match ups in the mid-court. BO CREEK (East Gambier) She is as dynamic on offence and she is defensively. Her vertical leap, pressure over the pass and her height make Hines one of the premier mid-courters in the competition. She can also sneak into the defensive circle if required, but East has plenty of firepower there and will relish being able to leave Hines in the centre to combine with McCallum. Best of luck to all players for season 2015 0419 812 007 Western Border Football and Netball 2015 Season Preview, Thursday, April 2, 2015 - 13 Good luck to all teams for season 2015 332 commercial street west, mount gambier Phone: (08) 8723 3231 www.mtwheels.com.au ABBEY SHANNON (Casterton/Sandford) 667494 667733 Phone